Nearly 50% of people between the ages of 18 and 24 say they don’t floss their teeth.
It doesn’t change much for people between the ages of 45 and 54, of which only 33% claim to floss their teeth on a regular basis.
For whatever reason, people don’t floss their teeth as often as they should. They don’t floss because they either forget or there’s a lack of education on the benefits of flossing.
Flossing your teeth, however, offers a lot of health benefits to your teeth, gums, and entire body.
If you need evidence of these benefits, then here are five benefits of flossing your teeth daily.
1. Better Breath
The benefits of flossing start with having better breath.
If you’ve ever had food stuck in your teeth, you know how unpleasant it is to have it stuck and how bad your breath might be if it stays stuck.
Flossing removes food that is wedged in your teeth. If you keep food lodged between your teeth long enough, it could cause some stinky breath.
2. Longevity of Life
Research shows that flossing actually increases the longevity of someone’s life. People actually have a 25% to 29% increased risk of death by not flossing.
In addition to flossing, you can find more information on six foods for healthy gums and teeth in our blog.
3. Healthier Teeth
Nobody likes getting cavities. By not flossing, you actually increase plaque build-up that can lead to gum disease.
It also leads to tooth decay because food continues to rot between your teeth. But when you floss, you are removing food that contains bacteria, which can be harmful to your teeth.
4. Prevents Gum Disease
Similar to number 3, flossing is important in preventing gum disease. Although your gums may bleed, it’s usually because you are flossing too rough or you haven’t flossed enough.
Either way, flossing daily helps strengthen your gums and gets rid of food that is wedged between your teeth.
If you don’t floss, you increase your chance of getting gingivitis, which is inflammation of the gums.
5. Relieves Joint Pain
The same bacteria are found in plaque and joints. These bacteria can lead to joint pain.
Flossing can eliminate this joint pain. By flossing, you are eliminating microbes that create joint pain. You are helping your gums and your teeth get rid of these microbes before they enter into your body.
Gum bacteria can actually relocate to the knee and worsen arthritis. It’s essential that you floss in order to avoid this from damaging your joints and limiting your mobility.
The Benefits of Flossing Should Encourage You to Floss
There are actually more than 5 benefits of flossing, but these benefits alone should encourage you to floss more. It promotes healthier teeth and a healthier life.
By flossing daily you are lowering your risk of gingivitis, tooth decay, and other dental concerns. You are also saving financially by spending less on teeth work provided by a dentist.
For more information on healthy teeth, visit our website and see our services can give you a healthy smile.
